Hendrick's Brady wish

Childhood friend is desperate to bring Ireland winger to Burnley

Ireland teammates Robbie Brady and Jeff Hendrick have been friends since childhood and could be playing together at Burnley soon. Photo: David Maher/Sportsfile

Burnley midfielder Jeff Hendrick has admitted he would love to entice childhood friend and fellow Republic of Ireland international Robbie Brady to Turf Moor.

The Clarets have reportedly upped their bid for the unsettled Norwich winger to £13million - a fee which would eclipse the current club record paid to Derby for Hendrick this summer.

Hendrick, who has known Brady since their schoolboy days at St Kevin's Boys, said: "For me personally it would be brilliant to have another friend here and I think he would help the squad as well.

"I text him a lot and talk to him every few days - we grew up together and I have known him since the age of seven - so we have a lot of different conversations.

"He is a great player and everyone is saying how well he's done over the previous few years. But at the end of the day the decision is his - hopefully he will see this (interview) and see how much I want him to come."

Boss Sean Dyche would not discuss transfer developments during his press conference yesterday ahead of tomorrow's trip to Arsenal, but Brady, who has asked Norwich to let him go if the right deal is reached - remains top of the Clarets' wanted list.

The impressive form of Hendrick, as well as fellow Ireland international Steven Ward, in the top-flight this season will no doubt have helped convince the club hierarchy that Brady would be a good addition.

The Clarets head into the weekend in 10th place in the table despite a dismal away record. Hendrick added: "The first thing we needed to do was to start playing more like ourselves when we're on the road."